As a result, the plight of less glamorous -- but no less ecologically important organisms, such as snakes, spiders and frogs -- are often ignored.

CNN: Beauty trumps beast in conservation efforts

The problem will be worsened by global warming affecting the population balance of animal predators such as owls, snakes, birds and bats, animals that keep insects and rodents in check.

CNN: Global warming may harm human health

The specimens were determined to range from tiny lizards such as O. gracilis, to snakes as large as a modern boa constrictor, to meat-eating lizards up to 2m (6ft 6in) long.

BBC: Obama-named lizard was wiped out with the dinosaurs

The bonus is that the zoo is relatively porous, meaning that alongside the resident wildlife, you will also come across creatures that have come in from the surrounding jungle, such as agoutis, iguanas, snakes, squirrels and jungle birds of all sorts.

BBC: Family fun in Belize